Concerns about Nutro, and other pet food issues
I get a number of emails from people who are concerned about pet food, and lately most of the questions and comments seem to be about Nutro. These people are not alone. If you take a look at a long list over at Consumer Affairs, you’ll find a lot of comments about Nutro, some positive but most, not so much. Some people claim their pets have done wonderfully on the food while others believe their pets have become ill, or even died, from eating Nutro. I haven’t heard any “official” news about any Nutro issues, but if you feed Nutro, you might want to take a look at the Consumer Affairs website and make up your own mind.
Many of the people I hear from are angry and are reaching out for answers. They and their beloved pets are suffering and simply want to know why and what they can do about it. I honestly wish I had the answers…but I don’t. Unless every can and bag of pet food is tested for contaminants, sadly, many pet owners will not have the complete peace of mind that comes from knowing what they’re feeding their pets is safe. Most of the pet food companies don’t appear to have learned much at all from the recall and therefore, don’t seem to be that concerned with peace of mind for their customers.
I continually tell pet owners to do some research and find out what other people are saying - good and bad - about the food they’re considering. Keep up on the news releases and other stories about pet food, and read them all with a critical eye. Do some research on different foods and different ways of feeding. Talk to the pet food companies - ask questions, and tell them what you’d like to see done differently. With all of the information you gather, make the best decision you can. I know, it’s much easier said than done, but the worst thing anyone can do is to sit back and blindly believe what pet food companies want us to believe. You’re the best advocate your pet has - don’t put that job into the hands of big money-making companies. Their priorities aren’t the same as yours.
A few newly reported pet food issues of note…
Reuters reports that dry dog food has been confirmed as the source of a salmonella outbreak in people in 2006 & 2007. This investigation is the first one to identify dry dog food as the source of human Salmonella infections. Here’s another report about this and names the pet foods involved, Red Flannel and Krasdale. They were both recalled last summer by Mars Petcare.
Champion Pet Foods explains “larger than normal” bone fragments in their Origen brand pet food.





I love happy endings, and have one to tell about that happened today.
Tequila’s trying out 
My friend Rozanne sent me this picture this morning, along with a story about how the horse got her artificial limb. At first I thought it was a pretty good Photoshop job, but it turns out this little pony, named Molly, does indeed have an artificial leg.







